Big Indochina Adventure Tours For 18 - 35 Year Old College Students and Young Professionals

Itinerary

Day 1 Arrive Bangkok
Check-in to your hotel and head straight out to explore the massive, buzzing city of Bangkok. Later, meet up with your Tour Manager and fellow travellers and find out about what’s ahead of you. Afterwards, it’s a free night - some of the group might head out and eat together. Hotel

Day 2 Bangkock to Chiang Mai
First stop this morning is Bangkok’s incrediable Royal Palace. It’s 61 acres of stunning buildings, gleaming spires and multi-coloured murals. Visit the holiest Buddhist site in the country, the Emerald Buddha Temple. Your Local Guide will show you the epic murals, incredible architecture and tell you about the visiting pilgrims. Next up: the klongs (canals) of Bangkok - you’ll soon understand why this city is often dubbed ‘Venice of the East’. Get around like a local on a typical Thai boat – it’s perfect for taking in this sprawling megapolis from the water. You’ll see the landmark Dawn Temple, the Royal Barge and some of the major hotels as we cruise along Bangkok’s main artery, Chao Praya River. Hotel (B)

Day 3 Chiang Mai
Wake up in chilled-out Chiang Mai, Thailand’s pretty, second largest city. Wake up in chilled-out Chiang Mai, Thailand’s pretty, second largest city. Afterwards, walk off dinner and take a look around the sprawling night bazaar, where you’ll find bargains, Buddhas, lanterns and fake designer goods. Hotel (B)

Day 4 Chiang Mai to Chiang Rai
Travel through a landscape of rice paddies to Chiang Rai, a quiet town that is the gateway to trekking in the surrounding hills. In our optional trip here, you’ll find out about traditional hill tribe people, like the Akha, Yao,Lanu and Karen (long-neck peoples) and their culture. Hotel

Day 5 Chiang Rai to Pakbeng
Today, cross the border into laid-back Laos, South East Asia’s only land-locked country. Our night stop is the riverside village of Pakbeng, where you’ll truly be off the beaten track and can experience a bit of rural Laos living. We’ll be staying in a simple, local guesthouse. Guesthouse (L) (B,D)

Day 6 Pakbeng to Luang Prabang
Back on board the boat this morning, we continue cruising down the Mekong, past thick forests and mountains. Get ready for the travellers’ favourite: Luang Prabang. A former mountain kingdom, Luang Prabang is now a colourful cultural hub soaked in history. Our Local Guide will give you a fun intro to the UNESCO World Heritage listed old-town on 2-wheels. Hotel (L) (B)

Day 7 Luang Prabang
There’s a chance to get up close to the world’s largest land-based mammals as part of our elephant rainforest elephant ride.Otherwise, get some friends together and take a trip to the nearby Kouang Si Falls for a swim and a bit of nature. For something different, check out what’s going on down by the river. Sit back on the bank with a Beer Lao and watch daily life, as livestock and produce are loaded onto tiny boats, and locals cool off in the Mekong. Hotel (B)

Day 8 Luang Prabang to Vang Vieng
Start the day by getting into the spirit of the town and wake up early for the monks’ procession and ritual giving of alms. This morning’s spectacular drive winds its way down to riverside Vang Vieng, known for its dramatic limestone karsts (rock formations) and outdoor adventure activities. With cliffs, tunnels, caves, caverns and a river, there’s plenty of ways to get active and turn up the energy levels. Hotel (B)

Day 9 Vang Vieng
Today, get hold of a map and take off at your own pace to explore the surrounding countryside. Cover more on a bike (your Tour Manager can organise one for you). Or maybe you prefer to relax riverside and soak up the chilled-out Lao vibes of this stopover. Wind down the day with your friends and catch a sunset at a riverside bar or an island watering-hole. Hotel (B)

Day 10 Vang Vieng to Vientiane
This morning it’s on to Vientiane. Get your bearings when you take a city tour with our Local Guide and your Tour Manager. We start with a visit to COPE, a charity project where victims of UXO (unexploded ordinance), among others, learn to use their new prosthetic limbs and train in new work skills.Next, we view That Louang, Vientiane’s main site and Laos’ most important religious symbol. Your Local Guide knows about the legends behind the golden stupa, its rough past and its restoration. Check out the 45 metre spire rising above the massive lotus petals. Hotel (B,D)

Day 11 Vientiane to Phnom Penh
Travel by plane into Cambodia this morning, a country with fantastic food, mind-blowing ancient temples and a complex, sad history. Learn about the Khmer Rouge and Cambodia’s troubled, recent past, when we visit the ‘Killing Fields’ mass graves. Our Local Guide will then take you for a visit to the Toul Sleng Genocide Museum, where you can walk through the prisoners’ former living quarters and see the chilling documentation of atrocities committed by the Khmer Rouge. Hotel (B)

Day 12 Phnom Penh to Siem Reap
Catch a flight this morning and land in small-town Siem Reap, where cafes, bars and restaurants spill out of French style shophouses. We’ll jump on a private wooden boat and head out on Tonle Sap, South East Asia’s biggest fresh water lake to experience a unique way of life. Back on land, you can explore more of Siem Reap at your own pace. Hotel (B)

Day 13 Siem Reap
Get ready for an incredible day with a visit to the jaw-droppingly beautiful Ankor Wat Temples. Start early with a visit to watch the sun rise over Ankor Wat, the largest religious monument in the world. Our Local Guide will share epic stories of the Khmer Empire, telling you about the sacred sites found here and the Hindu gods that feature on the amazing wall sculptures. In the afternoon, we return to the temples to take a look at Angkor Thom, with its four massive faces carved out of rock – each one looking towards different compass points. Tonight, play some pool, hang out with your friends and venture down Pub street for a fun night out. Hotel (B)

Day 14 Siem Reap to Ho Chi Minh City
There’s free time before our afternoon flight, so you could visit a local community project that supports families in crisis where you can interact with the kids and find out how social work functions here. This afternoon, we land in vibrant Vietnam, where traditional culture and a modern way of life fuse. It’s also got a reputation for beautiful beaches, delicious food and stunning scenery. Formerly known as Saigon, Ho Chi Minh City is Vietnam’s capital and an up-and-coming metropolis of urban activity. Hotel (B)

Day 15 Ho Chi Minh City to Mekong Delta
For the next 2 days, we journey into the Mekong Delta. In your time here, cruise the Delta on a traditional boat and take in Vietnam’s major rice producing area. See local fruit farms, floating markets and everyday life on Vietnam’s waterways. Later, local musicians will perform for us, before we tuck into some home cooked food at the simple, local guesthouse where we stay overnight. Guesthouse (L) (B,D)

Day 16 Mekong Delta to Ho Chi Minh City
It’s an early breakfast before heading back to Ho Chi Minh City
via the Viet Cong’s legendary tunnels in Cu Chi. See booby traps, hidden doors and some of the 250kms of tunnels that Vietnamese resistance fighters dug by hand to escape danger and launch surprise attacks from. If you’re up for it, you can even go down into the skinny tunnels and experience them first-hand. Hotel (B)

Day 17 Ho Chi Minh City to Nha Trang
Today you’ll hear Vietnam’s history in a nutshell on a city tour that starts from colonial times. Check out the Notre Dame Cathedral, a relic left from French rule. We also see the Presidential or Reunification Palace, the former political heart of the country, from where various leaders have ruled. In the afternoon, the group flies to the seaside resort town of Nha Trang, famous for its sweeping, golden beach, turquoise waters and fun water sports. Hotel (B)

Day 18 Nha Trang
A free day gives you time to sink into the laid-back beach lifestyle. Activity-wise, there’s a chance to get out among the gorgeous offshore islands on our optional cruise. With swim stops and snorkelling off the island of Hon Mun, this is a fun way to explore the area. Your Tour Manager can also organise you a treat - experience a mineral mud bath and hot thermal springs! Tonight, find yourself a spot on the beach or at a waterfront bar to watch the sun set over the sea. Hotel (B)

Day 19 Nha Trang to Hoi An
After a short flight to Danang this morning, we drive on to Hoi An. Hoi An is a pretty little town, with history written all over it. Blending Japanese, Chinese, Vietnamese and European influences, this former port town is an unusual mix of architectural styles. This afternoon, it’s free time to either relax back at the hotel pool or get some clothes made. Hoi An is known for its beautiful cloths and colourful silks, and there are loads of tailors ready to whip up some made–to-order threads in record breaking time. One tip is to bring some clothes you like from home with you. Then the tailors can copy the patterns pretty much exactly.As the sun sets, we head out on bikes with a Local Guide into the surrounding countryside for a look at the gorgeous scenery. Hotel (B)

Day 20 Hoi An
It’s a free day today, so explore more of Hoi An and its surrounds. For a day away from it all, head to untouched Cham Island on an optional trip through this UNESCO World Heritage Listed World Biosphere reserve. Alternatively, you could visit the ruined Hindu temples of the Champa Empire at My Son. Otherwise, look through the galleries, antique shops and workshops of the old town. Hotel (B)

Day 21 Hoi An to Hue
Back on the coach we travel through the “Pass of the Ocean Clouds”, on to the former imperial city of Hue. We start our time in mellow Hue with a visit to the imperial Tu Duc tomb. Our Local Guide will give you the story on this poet Emperor and ancient burial rites as you walk together around the intricately decorated pavilions, gorgeous gardens, and lotus flower ponds. It’s a unique experience tonight with our included dinner. Enjoy the hospitality of the Lac Thien Restaurant operated by a local disadvantaged family. Hotel (B,D)

Day 22 Hue to Hanoi
Our visit to the Imperial Citadel will give you a feel for Hue’s former imperial glory and ancient way of life. Walk through the stunning grounds contained within 10 kms of walls, and see water-lily ponds, temples and stunning gates. After a short flight, we land in the Northern capital of Hanoi. Hanoi is completely different to its southern counterpart, Ho Chi Minh City. It combines French flair, Chinese culture and Vietnamese vitality. Our hotel is smack in the middle of the old quarter, which is the place to be. It’s been Hanoi’s commercial core since the 15th Century and is packed into a tiny square kilometer. A maze of back streets, merchant houses and shops loaded with goods gives the old town its special atmosphere. For a real slice of Vietnamese culture, sit down at one of the simple bia hoi (draught beer) sidewalk bars, pull up a stool and hang out among the locals. Hotel (B)

Day 23 Hanoi to Halong Bay
First thing this morning is a visit (seasonal) to the mausoleum of Ho Chi Minh – former president of Vietnam. Be part of the solemn procession of onlookers paying their respects to the leader who fought for the country’s independence. We then drive to Halong Bay, where we’ll board a Chinese-style junk boat for an overnight cruise through the absolutely stunning waters of this UNESCO World Heritage Listed site. This natural wonder doesn’t come short on views: traditional sampans and junks sail the crystal waters of the Gulf of Tonkin. Nearly 2000 limestone islands dot the sea. Kick back on deck and soak up views of grottos, lagoons and thick forests. Overnight Cruise (L) (B,D)

Day 24 Halong Bay to Hanoi
After a relaxed breakfast, we’ll visit the interior of the limestone caves of Sung Sot and keep taking in the fantastic views. Then we cruise back to port and return to Hanoi, with free time this afternoon. Escape the busy streets with a visit to the Temple of Literature – a quiet haven of walled gardens, red-lacquered pillars and golden painted dragons. Nearly 1000 years old, the Temple is Vietnam’s most important Confucian sanctuary and its historic seat of learning. Tonight is the last night on tour so perhaps enjoy a memorable dinner at KOTO restaurant. This eatery helps support an organisation that works to improve former disadvantaged children's lives by training them in hospitality. Hote. (L) (B)

Day 25 Depart Hanoi
Our tour ends this morning after breakfast and some free time, so say goodbye to your crew and Tour Manager. (B)

*Pricing not guaranteed until time of booking